Filing appliance.



H. J. HICK- FILING APPLIANCE.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 1, 1911.

Patented J an. 18, 1916.

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wi lineooao Wwew H. J. HICK FILING APPLIANCE.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE l, 1911. I r 1,168,806. Patented Jan.18,1916.

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HARRY J. HICK, or ALLIANCE, OHIO, ASSIGNOR, BY MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, TO THE MGGASKEY REGISTER COMPANY; (INCO CORPORATION or OHIO.

RPORATED IN 1914,) OEALLIANCE, OHIO, A

. FILING APPLIANCE.

Application fired J'une 1,1911. Seria1No. 630,G1fl.

To all whom it may concern: I

Be it known that I, HARRY J. Hum, a citizen of the United States, residing at Alliance, in the county of Stark and State of Ohio, have invented certainnew and use ful Improvements in and Relating to Filing Appliances, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relatesto filing appliances adapted to conveniently support and store under appropriate titles or headings papers and the like and permit ready and quick access to said papers or articles and their removal. j

For the purpose of illustration, I have, in the accompanying" drawings, shown and herein described one form of filing appliance embodying my invention.

Figure 1 isa side elevation of a filing appliance embodying my invention. Fig. 2

is a fragmentary side elevation of the hold ers, a portion of them being reclined. Fig- 3 is a longitudinal sectional view through the holders shown in Fig; 2 and onthe line 8,8 of Fig. 4. Fig. 1 is a fragmentary front view of the holders shownin Figs. 2 and 3. Figs. 5,6, and 7 are detail views, Fig. 6 beingtake'n on the line 6-6 ofFig. 5 and Fig. 7 being taken on the line 7-7 of Fig. 4. Fig. 8 is a fragmentary side elevation of the holders removed from, the casing and ready for storingin' a vault. Fig. 9 isa fragmentary'plan view'of one of the holders. Figs. 10,11, 12 and 13 are detail views. v 1

In the drawings, 1 indicates a suitable casing. It may be of any preferred or standard form of construction. The casing preferably includesaback 1 and a desk'or base 1, the forward portion of which may be composed of transparent material 1.:

2 indicates a tray slidably mounted in .the casing in a plane below the base 1". j At 2, and immediately below the transparent material or plate'l the tray 2 is provided adjacent face of the back. The devices 1* may be arranged'upon opposite facesof the bac and. a h ay carry a heading or other low bar i classifying title for the to be filed and stored. V

Along its lower or hinged end, the metal of the back lfirnay be extended and bent into a hollow bar i and its edge arranged parallel with and secured to said back. The bar 49* serves to strengthen the back from end to end, and cooperates with the bars 1 of adjoining holders to close the space between them.

4 indicates stripsextending along the opposite longitudinal edge of each back 4? and on opposite faces thereof. These strips serve as end walls for each holder and also space the holders from each other. Additional strips 41 may be provided on one or both faces of each back P. These strips papers 7 or records operate as rubbing and spacing devices for nected thereto, and also mounted to swing relative to each other. There are preferably two series of blocks 5, arranged near opposite lower ends of the holders. At 4 each back 4e and bar P is cut away to receive a block 5.

5 indicates an opening extending from end to end of the block. Through this opening extends a pin 5", preferably'comprising a screw bolt. The outer end of the pin 5 is mounted in a side plate 4 which is carried by the adjacent holder, while its opposite or inner: end screw threads intoa nut 1 preferably arranged within the holbearing for the pin 5 whereby relative movement between the block 5 and adjacent holder may take place. It will be obvious that these parts can be altered and variously The opening 5 serves as a p The side plates 4: are preferably provided with flanges F the lower ends of which operate as stops 4% and 4 one of which preventsthe swinging or fmovement of the adjacent holder relative tothe block, in one direction, while the other permits it to swing rearwardly a predetermined distance. This last operation is preferably effected by bending the lower free end of the adjacent flange 4 inwardly slightly, thus making it shorter than the other. 1

. The blocks 5 are preferably of "Satan-i.

5 on its opposite longitudinal sides, the" purpose of which will later appear. At 5 the blocks may be hollowed out to form recesses which receive counterbalancing springs 6, one for each block. Each spring is preferably coiled around the adjacent pin 5*. One end-6 of the spring lies in engagement with the adjacent wall of the block and its opposite end, '6", operatively engages the back 4 of the adjacent holder;

Whnthe series of blocks are arranged in operat1ve position, that is, supported in an inclined position on the base 1, (see Fig.

l)"a's will later be described, the springs 6 operate toqswing the holders 'rearwardly until thestops 4 engage thewallsof the blocks andarrest their rearward movement, the stops 51 beingarranged to arrest the holders when in substantially a verticalposition. V V

5 indicate hinge lugs or sets of lugs preferably formed integrally with and extending laterally from the opposite lower corners of each block 5. These lugs are formed with suitable apertures 5 which aline with v the apertures of adjoining lugs to receive hinge pins 5 The lugs 5 a nd pins 5 serve to hingedly connect the blocks or supports together and permit themto swing relative to each other. The blocks 5 may be formed with suitable recesses 5" to permit the positi oning of the blocks relatively close to each other.

7 indicates a support for each series of blocks 5.: Itis mounted on the base 1 and provided with a suitable recess or socket to removably receive the hinge lug or pin of the block carried by the frontmost holder 2'. The support 7 is constructed, to permit the reclining of said front holder. The

blocks or holder supports 5being hingedly connected together, serve as the gearing or pivotal connections between the holders, and thus operate, when one or more of them are reclined, to move thelower edges of the remaining holders forwardly; Thepivotal connections between the blocks and the holders permit the latter to swing rearwardly when the supporting blocksare inclined or arranged in operative position so that the upper or free ends of the holders will be in stepped relationship. When in this latterposition they expose to view eye signals mounted on or near their free ends.

8 indicates paralleling or spacing devices which are preferably provided between the supports or blocks 5. These devices preferably comprise screws fitted to suitable openings in the side walls of the blocks whereby they can be adjusted. One screw is mounted in one side wall of each block and its head engages with th'e adjacent side wall of the adioining block. As will be understood the blocks or supportsand the piv- 10 is preferably headed. A binding device can swing relative to said supportsand lie .in a normal vertical position with the spacingstrips between them in close engagement. Under these conditions, the devices 8 cooperate with the pivots 5"" to maintain the blocks spaced and parallel to each other side by side and the series of blocks in proper alinement, either in the normal inclined position or in the vertical position. As a result of this construction, the pivots for the holders will always lie in a common plane, when arranged in either a normal or aprone position.

9 indicates a device which preferably has the combined functions of guiding the rea rmost holder in its up and down movements, the lit-loving of said holder forwardly and backwardly and the locking of theholders in normal position. In order to effect this last operation, it is pivoted to the casing 1 and carries a latch 9 which engages the frontmostholder. In Fig. 1 the device 9 is shown in locking engagement with the front holder. The dotted lines in the same figure illustrate its position when guiding the rear holder (and those holders in'front thereof) upwardly and forwardly. Since this device' forms the subject matter of my invention disclosed and claimed in Letters Patent Noz 973,195, dated October 18,1910, further description thereof is deemed unnecessaryg 100 10 indicates a device which prevents pivotal movements of the holders when they are removed from the casing. It preferably consists'of alink pivotally connected at one end to the side of one of the end holders (preferably the rear holder) and provided 'with a notch or slot 10 at or near its opposite end to receive: a pin or screw carried by the opposite or frontend holder. The pin 10 may be provided on either or both sides of the holders. Then the holders are set up in the casing, the-link 10 is disconnected from the pin 10. The holders are then free to swing into the normal vertical position under the influence of their springs, the link 10 falling by gravity and assuming the position shown in Fig.1. When the holders are to be removed from the casing, they are first brought to a position substantially per- 12 pendicular to the inclination ofthe supports 5, or they are all reclined to the prone or horizontal position, and then the link is moved to connect its notched end with the pin 10 Since the counterbalance springs are under tension to move the holders on their pivots, they have the effect of putting tensile stress on the link 10' so that it cannot normally become disconnected 7 from the pin 10". V 136 I 1,1es,eoe

The operation of the holders may be described as follows; The blocks or supports "5are arranged in an inclined position and a the holders in a vertlcal position with the gagement of the stop 4* with the block, the I continued movement of the holder causes the block or support to move therewith, the holder and block thenswinging together on the pivot of the block with the next forward block, as an axis. In the return of the holder to the normal position its operation is the same; that is, it first swings, onits pivot 5 until the rear stop 4 engages with the upper. face of the adjacent block (see dotted lines in Fig. 5). The holder in its continued movement, acting through such engagement, carries with it its supporting block, the holder and block moving together until theyreach the normal position. The holders may be operated separately or in groups. When operated in groups, each holder and its support operate in the manner just described.

To those skilled 'n the art of making filing appliances of the class described, many alterations in construction and widely differing embodiments and applications of my invention will suggest themselves, without departing from the spirit and scope thereof. My disclosures and the descriptionherein are purely illustrative, and are not intended to be in any sense limiting.

As will be understood from the foregoing description, the supports 5 are normally arranged in an inclined position with the holders in a vertical position, or inclined to the plane in which the supports normally lie, and the stops 43 are arranged to limit the rearward movement of the holders so that this relative normal position between the supports and holders can be maintained under the influence of thesprings which exert their power to maintain the stops 4 in engagement with their respective supports. The springs are of a size and tension so that when the support 5 for the front holder 2 is mounted in the support 7 and the .rear holder is in engagementwith or lies against the abutment 14, this relative arrangement of the series of supports and holders is effected. When a holder is operated to the prone position, the tension of the spring therefor is overcome by the forward movement of the holder. As the holders are operated one by one, the guide 9 will operate to move the rear holder forwardly, so that the blocks not operated will be maintained at all times.

It will also be understood from the draw.- ings that when the holders and blocks are in the horizontal position, the blocks lie in a vertical plane and the holders at substantial right angles thereto in compact form ready for binding together.

/Vhat I claim is 1. In a filing appliance, the combination of a series of supports, pivotal connections between the supports, permitting them to swing relatively to each other, and a series of holders each pivotally mounted on and having limited movement relative to an adjacent support during movement from one position to the other.

2. In a filing appliance, the combination of a series of supports, pivotal connections between the supports permitting them to swing relatively to each other, a series of holders each pivotally mounted relative to an adjacent support, and counter-balancing means between each holder and the adja cent support. 1

3. In a filing appliance, the combination of a series of supports, pivotal connections between the supports permitting them to swing relatively to each other, a series of holders each pivotally mounted on and having movement relative to an adjacent support during movement from one position .to the other and means between each of said holders and the adjacent support therefor for limiting the movement of said holder relative to said support in opposite directions.

4:. In a filing appliance, the combination of a series of supports, a series of holders, each pivotally mounted on one of said supports, pivotal connecting means between the supports permitting them to swing relatively to each other, and means permitting each holder to swing a limited distance in one direction relative to the adjacent holder during operation of saidholder from one position to the other.

relative position between the holders and o 5. In a filing appliance,the combination of a series of supports arranged side by side, means for supporting said supports normally in an inclined position, pivotal connections between the supports, permitting them to swing relatively to each other into a vertical position, and a series of holders each'pivotally mounted on and having limited movement relative to an adjacent support, during the operation of said holder, whereby they are arranged normally in stepped relationship to each other.

6. In a filing appliance, the combination of a series of supports arranged side by side, means for supporting said supports normally in an inclined position, pivotal connections between the supports permitting them to swing relativelyto each other into a vertical position, aseries of holders each plvotally mounted on and having movement relativeto an adjacent support during the operation'of said holder, whereby they'are arranged normally in stepped relationship to each other, and abutments or stops for 'limiting the rearward movement of said holder's relatively to said supports.

connections between the supports permitting them to swing relatively to each other into a vertical position, a series of holders each pivotally mounted on and having movement relative to an adjacent support during the operation of said holder, whereby they are arranged normally in stepped relationship to each other, abutments or stops for limiting the rearward movementof said holders relative to said supports, and means tending to swing each holder rearward on its support.

8. In a filing appliance, the combination of a series of supports arranged side by side, means for supporting said supports in an inclined position, pivotal connections between the supports permitting them to swing relatively to each other into a vertical position, a series of holders each pivotally mounted on and having movement relative to an adjacent support, whereby they are arranged normally in stepped relationship to each other, and means between each of said holders and the adjacent support therefor for swinging the support on its pivot when a holder is operated.

9. In a filing appliance, the combination of a series of supports arranged side by side, means for supporting said supports in an inclined position, pivotal connections between the supports permitting them to swing relatively to each other into a vertical position, a series of holders each pivotally mounted relative to an adjacent support, whereby they are arranged normally in stepped relationship to each other, and devices carried by each holder for swinging the adjacent support on its pivot when a holder is operated.

'10. In a filing appliance, the combination of a series of holders, a series of supports, one for each of said holders, normally arranged in an inclined position, pivotal con necting means between the supports permitting them to swing relatively to each other, pivots between each holder and its support to permit the holder to swing a limited distance relative thereto during the operation of said holder from one position to the other, and guide'means for the rearmost holder.

11. In a filing appliance, the combination of a series of supportspivotally connected together and normally arranged in an inclined position, a series of holders each pivotally mounted on one of said supports ant arranged normally in a vertical position, and means tending to maintain said holders severally in:11ormal position;

. 12. In a filing appliance, the combination of a series of supports pivotally connected together and normally arranged in an inclined position, a series of holders each pivotally mounted on one of said supports and arranged normally in a vertical position,

"means tending to maintain said holders sevotally mounted on one of'said supports and arranged normally in a vertical position,

means comprising a stop device carried by each holder for limiting the relative movement thereof, and a spring for normally maintaining the adjacent support and stop in engagement.

14. In a filing appliance the combination of a base, a series of pivo'tally connected to gether supports comprising a series of blocks normally arranged parallel to each other and supported in an inclined position on said base, a series of holders one for each block, pivotal connecting means between each of said holders and the adjacent block'and permitting said holder to swing relative thereto during its operation from one position to i the other, inter-engaging means between the blocks and holders for operating the blocks by the operation of the holders.

15. In a filing appliance, the combination of a series of supports arranged normallv in an inclined'position, a series of holders each pivotally mounted on one of said supports, and having movement relative thereto when said holder is operated from one position to the other, and devices carried by each of said holders arranged to operate the support therefor when one of the holders is operated, but permitting a predetermined relative movement between them.

16. In a filing appliance, the combination of a series of assembled holders arranged normally face to face, and pivoted connecting and supporting devices between the lower ends of the holders comprising a series of blocks or supports to which the holders are pivotally connected and arranged to swing a limited distance relatively thereto when operated from one position to the other, and independent pivotal connecting means between adjoining blocks or supports.

'17. In a filing'appliance, the combination of a series of assembled holders arranged normally face to face and pivotal connecting and supporting devices between the lower end of the holders comprising a series of blocks or supports to which the holders are pivotally connected and arrangedto swing relatively thereto during operationofsaid holder from oneposition to the other, inclependent pivotally connecting means between adjoining blocks, and devices carried by the holders operating to limit the relative movement between each holder and the adjacent block or support.

18.' In a filing appliance, the combination of a series of assembled holders arranged normally face to face and pivotal connecting and supporting devices betweenthe lower ends of the holders comprising a series of blocks or supports to which the holders are pivotally connected, independent pivotalconnecting means between adjoining blocks, devices carried by the holders operating to limit the relative movement between each holder and the adjacent block, and means normally tending to maintain one of said limiting devices for each holder in engage ment with the adjacent block.

19. In a filing appliance, the combination of a series of supports pivotally connected directly together, a series of holders pivoted one to each support, and abutments on the parts for stopping the rotation of the holders in each direction with reference to their respective supports, for requiring the supports toturn part way in each direction when the respective holders are rotated from upright to reclined position and vice versa.

20. In a filing appliance, the combination of a series of holders each provided with a cutaway portion, a support mounted in said cutaway portion, pivots between each sup port and the adjacent holder permitting the latter to swing relative thereto, pivotal connections between adjoining supports, and means, operated by the holders for swinging the supports on their pivots.

21. In a filing appliance, the combination of a series of holders each provided with a cutaway portion, a support mounted in said cutaway portion, pivots between each support and the adjacent holder permitting the latter to swing relative thereto, pivotal connections between adjoining supports, and means for supporting the supports normally in an inclined position. a c

22. In a filing appliance, the combination of a series of holders each provided with a cutaway portion, a support mounted in said cutaway portion, pivots between each support and the adjacent holder permitting the latter to swing relative thereo, pivotal connections between adjoining supports, means, operated by the holders for swinging the supports on their pivots, and means between each support and the holder carried thereby tending to move the latter relative to said support in one direction. I a 23. In a fillng appliance, the combination of a. series of supports, eachprovided with a pivot pin and formed with a hollowed out.

portion through which said pin extends, pivotal connections between the supports c permitting them to swing relative to each" other, means for supporting the supports in an lnclined position, a series of holders, each pivotally mounted on the pivot pin of an adjacent support, normally arranged face to face in a vertical-positiom'and a counter balancing spring surrounding said pivot pin in each support andsupporting each holder I arranged thereon side by side and eXtend- 7 ing in an inclined plane, pivotal connections between the supports permitting them to swing relative to each other and to move into a vertical plane, a holder pivotally mounted on each of said supports, and spacing devices between the supports for holding the pivots of the holders in a common plane in either position of the said supports, a device being carried byeach of said supports and adjustable relative thereto.

26. In a filing appliance, the combination of a series of rectangular shaped blocks adapted to be arranged substantially side by side, means for supporting the blocks normally in an inclined position including pivotal connections between their lower edges permitting them to swing one by one or in groups into a vertical position, a series of holders, each pivotally supported on an adjacent block, and devices mounted on opposite sides of each holder and arranged to engage and operate the adjacent block but permitting predetermined movement of the holder relative to the block.

27. In a filing appliance, the combination of a series of rectangular shaped blocks adapted to be arranged substantially side by side, means for supporting the blocks normally in an inclined position including pivotal connections between their lower edges permitting them to swing one by one or in groups into a vertical position, a series of holders, each pivotally supported on an ad-.

of a series-of rectangular shaped blocks adapted to be arranged substantially side by side, means for supporting the blocks nor-' mally in an inclined position including pivotal connections between then lower edges permitting them to swing one by one or inv groups into a vertical position, a series of holders, each pivotally supported on an adjacent block, and means engaging with and swinging said blocks on their pivots when the holders are operated but permitting a Copies of this patent may be obtained for predetermined movement of the holders relative to the blocks. a

29. A filing appliance, including a series of supports, pivotal connections between the supports.permitting them to swing relatively to each other, a series of holders each pivotally mounted on and having limited movement, relative to an adjacent support, a relatively fixed pivotal bearing for one end support of the series,,and a guide for the holder of the other end holder thereof.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature, in the presence of two witnesses.

HARRY J. HICK.

five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washingtoml), 0 r 7 

